System and method for sending medical emergency alerts

ABSTRACT

A system for sending medical emergency alerts including a device body adapted to be attached to a user, an accelerometer connected to the device body, a wireless communications module, a user interface, a processor in communication with the accelerometer, the wireless communications module, and the user interface, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive acceleration data from the accelerometer, analyze the acceleration data to determine if a fall condition is present, and when the fall condition is present, communicate, via the wireless communication module, an alert to a caregiver mobile device, wherein the alert is adapted to indicate that the user wearing the device body has fallen.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application incorporates by reference and claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/968,337 filedMar. 20, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/006,671filed Jun. 2, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to a system for providingemergency medical assistance in the event of an accidental fall, mentalincapacity or other crises. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a system and method using a watch, mobile application, andwebsite to allow users to contact caregivers, family members, anEmergency Response Center Operator, or a 911 line in the event of amedical emergency, and that is also enabled to send alerts without usercommands.

Emergency alarm systems have long been a fixture in the homes of elderlyindividuals. But these systems have significant drawbacks that limittheir effectiveness. For instance, these systems may not be accessiblethroughout the user's home, and the user would not hear the speaker onthe system when a caregiver is trying to make contact. And if the userfell in a part of the house away from the speaker, the user would not beable to communicate with the caregiver. Also, traditional systemsrequire landline telephones. If the landline is out, so is the system.Furthermore, the cost of maintaining a landline, along with the monthlycost of the system, may be significant, especially for elderly users ona fixed income.

Traditional alarm systems are also sometimes limited in theirfunctionality. For example they may always require user input, such asthe user pressing a button to activate the system. But user input maynot be possible in a situation where an individual becomes unconsciousprior to alerting the system. Additionally, a user command will not beprovided if the user is unaware that he or she is putting himself indanger. For example, an individual with dementia may not understand theconsequences of venturing beyond the confines of the user's home, andwould therefore not alert family members and caregivers of a potentiallylife-threatening situation.

Accordingly, there is a need for an alert system that is mobile,convenient, easy to use, and capable of detecting crisis situationswithout a user command, as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosureprovides an alert system that is mobile, convenient, easy to use, andcapable of detecting crisis situations without a user command.

The alert system may include a wrist-based monitor, such as a watch or apendant (herein, a watch), worn by the client. The watch may detectwhether the client has fallen and send an alert to a caregiver via acaregiver mobile device. A caregiver may include any person withresponsibility over the client, or any emergency contact of the client.In some embodiments, the system may include a client mobile device toprovide a bridge for the watch to communicate to the caregiver mobiledevice and to carry out other functionality of the alert system. Thealert system may include, or interoperate with, one or more alert systemservers that may provide communication between the client mobile deviceand the caregiver mobile device.

The caregiver may set up a safe zone to help to prevent a client fromwandering away from a safe location and provide a notification to thecaregiver if the client does leave the safe zone. The safe zone may bedefined as a geofence and, when the client passes outside the safe zone,the caregiver may be alerted. Additionally, the alert system may permitthe client or the caregiver to define medicine alerts to remind theclient to take his or her medications. The alert system may also permitthe caregiver to track the client's exercise activity via exercisealerts and the client's vitals, such as the heat rate via a heart ratealert.

The alert system servers may provide a web site to permit the client andcaregivers to access the functionality of the system over the web. Thealert system servers may include a database to store information relatedto the functionality of the alert system, such as alerts, customizedprofile information, medication schedules, activity records, clientvitals, etc.

In an embodiment, the watch may be a commercially available watch soldunder the Pebble® brand including a watch application. Similarly, inother embodiments, the watch may be a commercially available watch soldunder the Apple® Watch brand, Android Wear® or any other wearablecapable of executing a watch application. The watch may includeBluetooth, cellular, Wi-Fi and other wireless communication capabilitiesso that it may communicate with a corresponding client mobile deviceand/or other components of the alert system. For ease and convenience ofuse, the watch may be equipped with a long battery life and it may bewaterproof.

In an embodiment, a watch may include a user interface, user controls,an accelerometer, a vibrating motor, a microphone, and a pedometer allprovided in the form of a watch. In some embodiments, the watch mayinclude a heart rate monitor. It is contemplated that in someembodiments the watch incorporates some or all of the functionality ofthe client mobile device. Accordingly, the watch may additionallyinclude any or all of the components of the client mobile device.

In an embodiment, the client mobile device is a mobile device includingthe client mobile application. Likewise, the caregiver mobile device maybe a mobile device including the caregiver mobile application. Theclient mobile device and the caregiver mobile device may be mobiledevices such as an iOS®, Android®, Windows, or other commerciallyavailable or special purpose mobile device. The caregiver mobileapplication may permit the caregiver to receive and manage alerts suchas fall alerts, medicine alerts, safe zone alerts, exercise alerts, etc.Additionally, the caregiver may use the caregiver mobile application toaccess view client data, such as activity data, and manage settings ofthe client mobile application.

Both the client mobile application and the caregiver mobile applicationmay be Bluetooth, cellular, and/or Wifi-enabled. And both may be enabledfor short message services (SMS), MMS, email, and phone calls. Byproviding an alert system including a watch in communication with aclient mobile device, the client will not need a landline to operate thealert system. The client mobile application and the caregiver mobileapplication may use voice and data capabilities to send SMS messages,push notifications, email alerts, and to place a series of calls to theprimary caregiver or an emergency operator to resolve a crisis.Additionally, the client mobile application may also be configured toinitiate a mobile call between the client mobile device and caregivermobile device when the alert button has been pressed and when theaccelerometer detects a fall. This will allow the client to hear andcommunicate with the caregiver.

The watch may include a watch face including a display screen to displaythe time, date, and the number of steps the client has taken that day.When in distress, the client may use the watch to send an alert to thecaregiver or to call an emergency operator, such as 911. In anembodiment, the watch may include an alert button that the client maypress to send an emergency alert to the caregiver. When the clientpresses the alert button, an emergency alert message is displayed on thecaregiver mobile device. Further, the caregiver mobile application mayreceive alerts, such as a safe zone alert, a medicine alert, a fallalert, an operator alert, an exercise alerts, a heart rate alert, etc.

Additionally, the watch may include an emergency button that the clientmay press to be connected to an emergency operator, such as 911 or anEmergency Response Center. In an embodiment, when the emergency buttonis pressed, the watch may trigger the client mobile device to initiate acall with the emergency operator. Alternatively, when the watch hasmobile call functionality, it may directly initiate a call with theemergency operator. When the emergency button is pressed an emergencyalert may be sent to the caregiver mobile device along with the client'slocation. The emergency alert may be displayed on the lock screen of thecaregiver mobile device or through any other notification mechanism, aswill be recognized by those skilled in the art based on the teachingsherein.

To setup a connection between the client and the caregiver using thealert system, the client and caregiver may each first register withalert system. The client and the caregiver may input profileinformation, such as a name, email, gender, address, mobile number, etc.that may be stored on the alert system servers. Once both the client andthe caregiver are registered, the client may associate her profile withprofile of the caregiver to permit the caregiver to receive alerts fromthe client.

Once the caregiver is associated with a client, the client or caregivermay choose the medium of the alerts. For example, the caregiver maychoose to receive the alerts as an email, text message, phone call, anytwo, or all three. The client or the caregiver may further customize thetext of each alert to match his or her specific needs. For example, theclient or the caregiver may input a fall alert message for a fall alert,a safe zone message for a safe zone alert, a customized medicine alertmessage for a medicine alert, an emergency operator alert message for anoperator alert, an exercise alert message for an exercise alert, anemergency alert message for an emergency alert, a heart rate alertmessage for a heart rate alert, etc.

When the alert system detects a fall, the alert system may send a fallalert message to the caregiver mobile device. Additionally, in someembodiments, the client mobile device may initiate a phone call with thecaregiver mobile device in response to a fall alert. To detect falls,the watch may include an accelerometer. The accelerometer may be athree-axis accelerometer that records the client's movements. Thesensitivity of the accelerometer may allow the alert system to monitorthe client's movements and detect a fall condition. The processor mayanalyze the client's movements using a fall detection algorithms todetermine if the client has fallen by meeting a fall condition. Forexample, a fall may be determined when the magnitude and/or direction ofan acceleration, the rate of change of acceleration, or other measuredmotion of the watch exceeds a threshold or matches a predeterminedpattern. In some embodiments, fall detection may be implemented using a3-D gyroscope in place of or in addition to the accelerometer.

The fall alert may be sent as an SMS message including the fall alertmessage. The fall alert message may include a map link to a GPS map topermit a caregiver to access a map showing the current location of theclient. Likewise, in an email message screen, the fall alert message maybe sent as an email message. The email message may also include a maplink. It is contemplated that any alert of the alert system may be sentas an SMS message, push notification, and/or email message and mayinclude a map or map link. The caregiver may open the map to view theclient's location at the time of an alert. When the client moves, themap may be updated to permit the caregiver to track the client.

An alert history screen may include a list of alerts recorded by thealert system, such as, safe zone alerts, medicine alerts, fall alerts,operator alerts, exercise alerts, emergency alerts, heart rate alerts,etc. Further, the alert system may include collect activity data throughthe all sensors of the alert system including those in the watch or theclient mobile device and may include the activity data inclusion in thealert history screen. Additionally, the alert system may provide amechanism to allow client and their family members or caregivers togenerate reports on client activity.

In some embodiments, after sending a fall alert to the caregiver mobiledevice, the alert system may send the display screen on the watch or theclient mobile device a message to request that the verify her safety. Ifthe client fails to respond by pressing a specified one of the usercontrols, the situation may be treated as a crisis and the caregiver maybe alerted via the caregiver mobile device. In some embodiments, whenthe system detects a fall, the client mobile application may open anEmergency Contacts screen to permit the client to call for help.

The alert system may additionally include a safe zone to prevent aclient from wandering away from a safe location. The safe zone may bedefined as a geofence. The alert system may monitor the client'slocation and if the client passes outside the safe zone, the caregiversmay be alerted. The watch may also include a vibrating motor that maywork in conjunction with the safe zone, such that the motor activateswhen the client leaves the safe zone to encourage the client to returnto the safe zone.

In an embodiment, the safe zone may be a circular geofence centered onthe address of the client. For example, the caregiver may define a fenceof meters around the client's residence. The caregiver may input a zonediameter and an address to fully encompass the client's safe locationand a zone description of the safe zone. Additionally, the caregiver mayspecify the medium type of the safe zone alert that is triggered whenthe client leaves the safe zone. For example, the caregiver may choosebetween receiving push notifications, email alerts, text message alerts,or all message types. The caregiver may also select the contents of thesafe zone alert using the text message selection and the email messageselection.

The client or the caregiver may create medicine alerts and reminders toperiodically remind the clients to take her medications. A MedicineAlerts screen may accept the input of the medicine name, dose, therepeat type (such as one time, daily, weekly, etc.), the start date, themedicine take time (the time the medication is be taken), and a medicinedescription.

The client or caregiver may also configure a reminder that may be sentto the client on the client mobile device. In an embodiment, when theclient dismisses the reminder a medicine alert may be sent to thecaregiver mobile device to confirm that the medication was taken. Themedicine alert may also be added to an activity report. Additionally, inan embodiment, when the client fails to respond to the reminder forlonger than a predetermined period of time, the alert system may send amedicine alert to caregiver mobile device indicating that the client hasfailed to take the scheduled medication and is not being compliant withtheir profile.

The watch may work in conjunction with the client mobile application andalert system servers to record data regarding the client's dailymovements. This activity data may be gathered through the use of apedometer on the watch. The watch may transmit the activity data to theclient mobile device and then relayed back to the client vianotifications and messages regarding daily steps. The alert system mayfurther analyze this data to learn more about the user's movements andidentify potential crises.

To complement the recording of activity data, the client mobileapplication may further include exercise alerts and exercise remindersto encourage the client to maintain activity. The client mobileapplication may be used to set time-based exercise reminders to theclient to perform scheduled exercises. The client mobile application maymonitor the activity of the watch, for example, via a watch-basedpedometer, to assist in confirmation of the activity. A record of themeasured activity may be transmitted to the alert system servers asconfirmation or may be sent to a caregiver as an exercise alert toensure compliance. The client mobile application may also prompt theclient to confirm that the exercise has been completed.

For example, the client may select a running button to record a sessionof running or walking. To record the activity, the pedometer of thewatch may record the number of steps taken during the session.Alternatively, the client may be prompted to enter the number of stepsor the amount of time spent walking. As another example, the client mayselect to record a session of cycling using the cycling button.

The client or caregiver may access an activity report screen to view anactivity report of the activity recorded by the alert system. Activitiesin the activity report may include any activities tracked by the alertsystem, for example, in some embodiments, walking, cycling, running,etc. The activity report may be shared with the caregiver forverification, encouragement, etc. The activity report may also highlightgoals, illustrate progress towards goals, and otherwise encourage theclient to continue with scheduled activity. Similar reports may begenerated for medicine alerts to record the compliance of the clientwith a medication schedule.

The alert system may additionally monitor the user's heart rate. Theheart rate may be measured by a heart rate sensor on the watch andperiodically and routinely transmitted to the alert system servers. Ifthe heart rate goes above or below pre-determined thresholds thecaregiver may be alerted. For example, if the heart rate exceeds onehundred beats per minute (bpm), or falls below sixty bpm, the caregivermay be alerted with a heart rate alert.

In an embodiment, a system for sending medical emergency alertsincludes: a device body adapted to be attached to a user; anaccelerometer connected to the device body; a first mobile deviceincluding a first wireless communication module, a first user interface,a first memory, and a first processor in communication with the firstwireless communication module, the first user interface, and the firstmemory; a second wireless communications module; a second userinterface; a second processor in communication with the accelerometer,the wireless communications module, and the user interface; a secondmemory in communication with the processor, the memory includinginstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto receive acceleration data from the accelerometer, analyze theacceleration data to determine if a fall condition is present, and whenthe fall condition is present, communicate, via the second wirelesscommunication module, an alert to the first mobile device, wherein thealert is adapted to indicate that the user wearing the device body hasfallen; and wherein the first memory includes instructions that, whenexecuted by the first processor, cause the first processor to receivethe alert via the second wireless communication device, and display anotification of the alert via the first user interface.

In some embodiments, the alert system may further include a positioningsensor in communication with the second processor, wherein the firstmemory includes further instructions that cause the first processor to:receive one or more inputs defining a geofence, and communicate thegeofence to the second processor via the first wireless communicationmodule, and wherein the second memory includes further instructions thatcause the second processor to: receive the geofence via the secondwireless communication module, receive a current location from thepositioning sensor, and when the current location is outside thegeofence, communicate a geofence alert to the first processor, whereinthe first processor displays a notification of the geofence alert on thefirst user interface.

In some embodiments, the second wireless communications module, thesecond user interface, the second processor, and the second memory areconnected to the device body.

And, in some embodiments, the second wireless communications module, thesecond user interface, the second processor, and the second memory areconnected to a second mobile device, wherein the second mobile device isdistinct from the device body. Also, in some embodiments, the systemfurther includes a clock in communication with the second processor,wherein at least one of the second memory and the first memory includeinstruction to: receive a medication schedule, wherein the medicationschedule includes a medicine name and a medication time, wherein thesecond memory includes instructions to: receive a current time from theclock, when the current time matches the medication time, displaying amedication reminder on the second user interface including themedication name, wherein the reminder includes a request to the user toconfirm that the medication has be taken, wherein the request issatisfied when the user performs an action, when the second userinterface has not detected the action after a predetermined period oftime after displaying the medication reminder, communicate a medicinealert to the first mobile device, wherein the medicine alert includes anotification of the user's failure to confirm that the medication hasbeen taken.

In some embodiments, the second memory further includes instruction to:when the second user interface detects the action, communicate amedicine confirmation alert to the first mobile device. And, in someembodiments, the system further includes a mobile telephone unit incommunication with the second processor, wherein the mobile telephoneunit is adapted to provide mobile telephone call functionality, whereinwhen the fall condition is present, initiating a mobile telephone callwith an emergency service line. Similarly, in some embodiments, thesystem further includes a second mobile telephone unit in communicationwith the second processor, further including a first mobile telephoneunit in communication with the first processor, wherein the secondmobile telephone unit and the first mobile telephone unit are adapted toprovide mobile telephone call functionality, wherein, when a fallcondition is present, initiating a mobile telephone call between thesecond mobile telephone unit and the first mobile telephone unit.

In some embodiments, the system further includes a pedometer incommunication with the second processor. And, in some embodiments, thesystem further includes a heart rate monitor in communication with theprocessor.

An object of the invention is to provide a solution to medical emergencyalerts that is portable, easy to use, and convenient. By using a watchthat can stay with the user at all times and a wireless phone that mayalso move to wherever the user is, the system allows the user tocommunicate effectively with medical personnel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solution to medicalemergency alerts that detects emergencies without requiring anintentional user command to trigger the alert.

An advantage of the invention is that it provides a solution to medicalemergency alerts that allows the user to monitor daily activity andexercise.

Another advantage of the invention is that it does not require alandline to communicate medical emergency alerts.

A further advantage of the invention is that it uses fall detection tosend alerts in a situation where the user is unconscious orincapacitated.

Yet another advantage of the invention is that it allows caregivers touse GPS to locate the user.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned byproduction or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages ofthe concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies,instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations.In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similarelements.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the alert system.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example watch of the alert systemof FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example mobile device of the alertsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an example watch face of a watch of the alert system of FIG.1.

FIG. 3B is an example lock screen illustrating a button press alertmessage of the alert system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is an example profile screen of the alert system of FIG. 1 forinputting profile information of a client or caregiver.

FIG. 4B is an example set primary caregiver screen of the alert systemof FIG. 1 that permits a client to select a primary caregiver.

FIG. 5A in an example SMS message screen 500 of the alert system of FIG.1 for receiving alerts from a client mobile device.

FIG. 5B is an example email message screen of the alert system of FIG. 1including an email alert message.

FIG. 5C is an example map screen of the alert system of FIG. 1 includinga map of the client's location.

FIG. 5D is an example alert history screen of the alert system of FIG. 1including a list of received alerts.

FIG. 6 is an example safe zone setup screen of the alert system of FIG.1 for configuring a safe zone.

FIG. 7A is an example medicine alerts screen of the alert system of FIG.1 for configuring a medicine alert.

FIG. 7B is an example medicine reminder screen of the alert system ofFIG. 1 for reminding the client to take the scheduled medication.

FIG. 7C is an example medicine description screen of the alert system ofFIG. 1 for reminding the client to take the scheduled medication.

FIG. 8A is an example record activity screen of the alert system of FIG.1 for recording activity of the client.

FIG. 8B is an example activity report screen of the alert system of FIG.1 for reporting the activities of the client.

FIG. 9 is an example method that may be executed by the alert system ofFIG. 1 to carry out the functionality described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the alert system 10. A client 20 maywear a wrist-based monitor, such as a watch 30 (or, in some embodiments,a pendant). The watch 30 may detect if the client 20 has fallen and sendan alert 40 a caregiver 50 via a caregiver mobile device 60. In someembodiments, the system 10 may include a client mobile device 25 toprovide a bridge for the watch 30 to communicate to the caregiver mobiledevice 60 and to carry out other functionality of the alert system 10.The alert system 10 may include or interoperate with one or more alertsystem servers 70 that may provide communication between the clientmobile device 25 and the caregiver mobile device 60.

The caregiver 50 may also set up a safe zone 605 (FIG. 6) to prevent aclient 20 from wandering away from a safe location. The safe zone 605may be defined as a geofence, where if the client 20 passes outside thesafe zone 605, the caregiver 50 may be alerted. Additionally, the alertsystem 10 may permit the client 10 or the caregiver 50 to definemedicine alerts 42 to remind the client 20 to take his or hermedications. The alert system 10 may also permit the caregiver 50 totrack the client's exercise activity via exercise alerts 45 and theclient's vitals, such as the heat rate via a heart rate alert 47.

The alert system servers 70 may provide a web site to permit the client20 and caregivers 50 to access the functionality of the system 10 overthe web. The alert system servers 70 may include a database 72 to storeinformation related to the functionality of the alert system 10, such asalerts 40, profile information 410, medication schedules, activityrecords, client vitals, etc.

In an embodiment, the watch 30 may be a commercially available watch 30sold under the Pebble® brand including a watch application 35 includingcomputer instructions to provide the functionality described herein.Similarly, in other embodiments, the watch 30 may be a commerciallyavailable watch 30 sold under the Apple® Watch brand, Android Wear®brand, or any other SDK smart watch or pendent including computerinstructions to provide the functionality described herein. It iscontemplated that the watch 30 may be embodied in a variety ofcommercially available wrist based monitors including computerinstructions to provide the functionality described herein, and theexamples provided are not meant to limit the alert system 10 to anyparticular embodiment of the watch 30. The watch 30 may includeBluetooth, cellular, Wi-Fi and other wireless communication capabilitiesso that it may communicate with a corresponding client mobile device 25and/or other components of the alert system 10. For ease and convenienceof use, the watch 30 may be equipped with a long battery life and it maybe waterproof.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in an embodiment, a watch 30 may include a userinterface 210, user controls 220, an accelerometer 230, a vibratingmotor 240, a microphone 250, and a pedometer 260 all mounted on a watchbody 200. In some embodiments, the watch 30 may include a heart ratemonitor 270, as shown in FIG. 2A. It is contemplated that in someembodiments the watch 30 incorporates some or all of the functionalityof the client mobile device 25, accordingly, the watch 30 mayadditionally include any or all of the components of the client mobiledevice 25.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram representation of an example implementationof an example mobile device 100 of the alarm system 10. In anembodiment, the client mobile device 25 is a mobile device 100 includingthe client mobile application 27. Likewise, in an embodiment, thecaregiver mobile device 60 is a mobile device 100 including thecaregiver mobile application 65. The client mobile device 25 and thecaregiver mobile device 60 may be mobile devices such as an iOS®,Android®, Windows® or other commercially available or special purposemobile device. The caregiver mobile application 65 may permit thecaregiver 50 to receive and manage alerts 40 such as fall alerts 43,medicine alerts 42, safe zone alerts 41, exercise alerts, etc.Additionally, the caregiver 50 may use the caregiver mobile application65 to access view client data, such as activity data, and managesettings of the client mobile application 27.

Both the client mobile application 27 and the caregiver mobileapplication 65 may be Bluetooth, cellular, and/or Wifi-enabled. And bothmay be enabled for short message services (SMS), MMS, email and phonecalls. By providing an alert system 10 including a watch 30 incommunication with a client mobile device 25, the client 20 will notneed a landline to operate the alert system 10. The client mobileapplication 27 and the caregiver mobile application 65 may use voice anddata capabilities to send SMS messages, MMS, push notification, emailalerts and to place a series of calls to an emergency operator 80 toresolve a crisis. Additionally, the client mobile application 27 mayalso be configured to initiate a mobile call between the client mobiledevice 25 and caregiver mobile device 60 when the alert button 320 hasbeen pressed or when the accelerometer 230 detects a fall. This willallow the client 20 to hear and communicate with the caregiver 50.

FIG. 3A illustrates a watch face 300. As shown, the watch 30 may includea display screen 305 to display the time, date, and the number of stepsthe client 20 has taken that day. When in distress, the client 20 mayuse the watch 30 to send an alert to the caregiver 50 or to call 911 oran emergency response center. In an embodiment, the watch 30 may includean alert button 320 that the client 20 may press to send an emergencyalert 46 to the caregiver 50. As shown in FIG. 3B on a lock screen, whenthe client 20 presses the alert button 320, an emergency alert message360 may be displayed on the caregiver mobile device 60. Further, asshown, and as will be explained further herein, the caregiver mobileapplication 60 may receive alerts 40, such as a safe zone alert 41, amedicine alert 42, a fall alert 43, an operator alert 44, an exercisealert 45, a heart rate alert 47, etc.

Additionally, the watch 30 may include an emergency button 340 that theclient 20 may press to be connected to an emergency operator 80, such as911 or an Emergency Response center. In an embodiment, when theemergency button 340 is pressed, the watch 30 may trigger the clientmobile device 25 to initiate a call with the emergency operator 80.Alternatively, when the watch 30 has mobile call functionality, it maydirectly initiate a call with the emergency operator 80. As shown inFIG. 3B, when the emergency button 340 is pressed (or, in an embodiment,pressed twice) an emergency alert 46 may be sent to the caregiver mobiledevice 60 and the mobile device 60 of emergency contacts along with theclient's location 580. The emergency alert 46 may be displayed on thelock screen 350 of the caregiver mobile device 60.

To setup a connection between the client 20 and the caregiver 50 usingthe alert system 10, the client 20 and caregiver 50 may each firstregister with alert system 10. FIG. 4a illustrates an example profilescreen 400 where either of the client 20 or the caregiver 50 may inputprofile information 410, such as a name 401, email 402, gender 403,address 404, mobile number 405, etc. Once both the client 20 and thecaregiver 50 are registered, the client 20 may associate her profilewith profile of the caregiver 50 to permit the caregiver 50 to receivealerts from the client 20. FIG. 4B illustrates a set primary caregiverscreen 430 that permits a client 20 to select the profile of caregiver50 as her primary caregiver 50. The alert system servers 70 may thenassociate the profile of the client 20 and the profile of the caregiver50 and forward alerts 40 appropriately.

Once the caregiver 50 is associated with a client 20, the client 20 orcaregiver 50 may choose the medium of the alerts 40. For example, thecaregiver 50 may choose to receive the alerts 40 as an email, textmessage, MMS, push notification, phone call, or all five. The client 20or the caregiver 50 may further customize the text of each alert 40 tomatch his or her specific needs. For example, the client 20 or thecaregiver 50 may input a fall alert message 510 for a fall alert 43, asafe zone message for a safe zone alert 41, a medicine alert message fora medicine alert, an operator alert message for an operator alert 44, anexercise alert message for an exercise alert 45, an emergency alertmessage for an emergency alert 46, a heart rate alert message for aheart rate alert 47, etc.

Turning to FIGS. 5A-5D, when the alert system 10 detects a fall, thealert system 10 may send a fall alert message 510 to the caregivermobile device 60 and/or the emergency contacts. Additionally, in someembodiments, the client mobile device 25 may initiate a phone call withthe caregiver mobile device 25. To detect falls, the watch 30 mayinclude an accelerometer 240. The accelerometer 240 may be a three-axisaccelerometer 240 that record the client's movements. The sensitivity ofthe accelerometer 240 will allow the alert system 10 to monitor theclient's movements and detect a fall condition. The processor 104 mayanalyze the client's movements using a fall detection algorithms todetermine if the client 20 has fallen by meeting a fall condition. Forexample, a fall may be determined when the magnitude and/or direction ofan acceleration, the rate of change of acceleration, or other measuredmotion of the watch 30 exceeds a threshold or matches a predeterminedpattern. In some embodiments, fall detection may be implemented using a3-D gyroscope in place of or in addition to the accelerometer 240.

As shown in FIG. 5A in an SMS message screen 500, the fall alert 43 maybe sent as an SMS message 520 including the fall alert message 510. Thefall alert message 510 may include a map link 530 to a GPS map 570 topermit a caregiver or emergency contact to access the map 570 (FIG. 5C)showing the current location 580 of the client 20. Likewise, as shown inFIG. 5B in an email message screen 540, the fall alert message 510 maybe sent as an email message 550. The email message 550 may also includea map link 530. It is contemplated that any alert 40 of the alert system10 may be sent as an SMS message 520, MMS, and/or email message 550 andmay include a map 570 or map link 530.

FIG. 5C illustrates a map screen 560 including a map 570 of the client'slocation 580 at the time of an alert 40. When the client 20 moves, themap 570 may be updated to permit the caregiver 50 to track the client20.

FIG. 5D illustrates an alert history screen 590. The alert historyscreen 590 may include a list of alerts 40 recorded by the alert system10, such as, safe zone alerts 41, medicine alerts 42, fall alerts 43,operator alerts 44, exercise alerts 45, emergency alerts 46, heart ratealerts 47, etc. Further, the alert system 10 may include collectactivity data 870 (FIG. 8B) through the all sensors of the alert system10 including those in the watch 30 or the client mobile device 25 andmay include the activity data 870 inclusion in the alert history screen590. Additionally, the alert system 10 may provide a mechanism to allowclient 20 and their family members or caregivers 50 to generate reportson client activity.

In some embodiments, after sending a fall alert 43 to the caregivermobile device 60, the alert system 10 may send the display screen 305 onthe watch 30 or the client mobile device 25 a message to request thatthe client 20 verify her safety. If the client 20 fails to respond bypressing a specified one of the user controls 220, the situation may betreated as a crisis and the caregiver 50 may be alerted via thecaregiver mobile device 60. In some embodiments, when the system detectsa fall, the client mobile application 27 may open an Emergency Contactsscreen to permit the client 20 to call for help.

In an embodiment, all of the alerts 40 from the client 20 to thecaregiver 50 are provided via push notifications. However, it isbelieved that there is value in requiring the alerts 40 sent toemergency contacts other than the caregiver 50 to be delivered as SMSmessage 520 and email messages 550. Additionally, in an embodiment, fallalerts 43, emergency alerts 46, and safe zone alerts 41 may bepreprogrammed to be automatically sent to caregivers 50 and emergencycontacts, while medicine alert 42, exercise alert 45, and heart ratealerts 47 are only sent to emergency contacts after the client 20 orcaregiver 50 has affirmatively chosen to have those alerts 40 sent tothe emergency contacts.

The alert system 10 may additionally include a safe zone 605 to preventa client 20 from wandering away from a safe location. The safe zone 605may be defined as a geofence. The alert system 10 may monitor theclient's location and if the client 20 passes outside the safe zone 605,the caregivers may be alerted. The watch 30 may also include a vibratingmotor 240 that may work in conjunction with the safe zone 305, such thatthe motor activates when the client 20 leaves the safe zone 305 toencourage the client 20 to return to the safe zone 605.

FIG. 6 illustrates a safe zone setup screen 600 for setting up a safezone 605. In an embodiment, the safe zone 605 may be a circular geofencecentered on the address 660 of the client 20. For example, the caregiver50 may define a fence of 100 meters around the client's residence. Thecaregiver 50 may input a zone diameter 610 and an address 660 to fullyencompass the client's safe location and a zone description 620 of thesafe zone 605. Additionally, the caregiver 50 may specify the mediumtype 630 of the safe zone alert 41 that is triggered when the client 50leaves the safe zone 605. For example, the caregiver 50 may choosebetween receiving email alerts 40, text message alerts, or both. Thecaregiver 50 may also select the contents of the safe zone alert 41using the text message selection 640 and the email message selection650.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the client 20 or the caregiver 50 may createmedicine alerts 42 and reminders 760 using a Medicine Alerts screen 700to periodically remind the clients 20 to take her medications. TheMedicine Alerts screen 700 may accept the input of the medicine name710, dose, the repeat type 720 (such as one time, daily, weekly, etc.),the start date 730, the medicine take time 740 (the time the medicationis be taken), and a medicine description 750. The client 20 or caregiver50 may also configure a reminder 760 that may be sent to the client 20as shown in FIG. 7B on a lock screen 350 of the client mobile device 25.The client 20 may then slide the reminder 760 to view a medicine alertdetails screen 775 shown in FIG. 7C. On the medicine alert detailsscreen 775, the client 20 may dismiss the reminder 760 after taking themedication, or may choose to delay taking the medication by choosing atimer period 771 and selecting a snooze button 772.

In an embodiment, when the client 20 dismisses the reminder 760 amedicine alert 42 may be sent to the caregiver mobile device 60 toconfirm that the medication was taken. The medicine alert 42 may also beadded to an activity report 860 (such as FIG. 5D). Additionally, in anembodiment, when the client 20 fails to respond to the reminder 760 orchooses to “snooze” for longer than a predetermined period of time, thealert system 10 may send a medicine alert 42 to caregiver mobile device60 indicating that the client 20 has failed to take the scheduledmedication.

The watch 30 may work in conjunction with the client mobile application27 and alert system servers 70 to record data regarding the client'sdaily movements. This activity data 870 may be gathered through the useof a pedometer 260 on the watch 30. The watch 30 may transmit theactivity data 870 to the client mobile device 25 and then relayed backto the client 20 via notifications and messages regarding daily steps.The alert system 70 may further analyze this data to learn more aboutthe user's movements and identify potential crises.

To complement the recording of activity data 870, the client mobileapplication 27 may further include exercise alerts 45 and exercisereminders 770 (FIG. 7B) to encourage the client 20 to maintain activity.The client mobile application 27 may be used to set time-based exercisereminders 770 to the client 20 to perform scheduled exercises. Theclient mobile application 27 may monitor the activity of the watch 30,for example, via a watch-based pedometer 260, to assist in confirmationof the activity. A record of the measured activity may be transmitted tothe alert system servers 70 as confirmation or may be sent to acaregiver 50 as an exercise alert 45 to ensure compliance. The clientmobile application 27 may also prompt the client 20 to confirm that theexercise has been completed.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the client 20 may manually record the activityusing a record activity screen 800. For example, the client 20 mayselect a running button 810 to record a session of running or walking.To record the activity, the pedometer 260 of the watch 30 may record thenumber of steps taken during the session. Alternatively, the client 20may be prompted to enter the number of steps or the amount of time spentwalking. As another example, the client 20 may select to record asession of cycling using the cycling button 820.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the client 20 or caregiver 50 may access anactivity report screen 850 to view an activity report 860 of theactivity recorded by the alert system 10. Activities in the activityreport 860 may include any tracked by the alert system 10, for example,in some embodiments, walking, cycling, running, etc. The activity report860 may be shared with the caregiver 50 for verification, encouragement,etc. The activity report 860 may also highlight goals, illustrateprogress towards goals, and otherwise encourage the client 20 tocontinue with scheduled activity. Similar reports may be generated formedicine alerts 42 to record the compliance of the client 20 with amedication schedule.

The alert system 10 may additionally monitor the user's heart rate. Theheart rate may be measured by a heart rate sensor 270 on the watch 30and routinely transmitted to the alert system servers 70. If the heartrate goes above or below pre-determined thresholds the caregiver 50 oremergency contact may be alerted. For example, if the heart rate exceedsone hundred beats per minute (bpm) or falls below sixty bpm thecaregiver may be alerted with a heart rate alert 47 (FIG. 3B).

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method 900 that may be executed bythe alert system 10 to carry out the functionality described herein. Inan embodiment, the method 900 includes the steps of: at step 901,receive, by the client mobile device processor, acceleration data fromthe accelerometer; at step 902, analyze, by the client mobile deviceprocessor, the acceleration data to determine if a fall condition ispresent; at step 903, when the fall condition is present, communicate,by the client mobile device processor, an alert to the caregiver mobiledevice, wherein the alert is adapted to indicate that the user wearingthe device body has fallen; at step 904, receive, by the caregivermobile device processor, the alert from the client mobile deviceprocessor, via the second wireless communication device; at step 905,display, by the caregiver mobile device processor, a notification of thealert via the first user interface; at step 906, receive, by thecaregiver mobile device processor, one or more inputs defining ageofence; at step 907, communicate, by the caregiver mobile deviceprocessor, the geofence to the second processor via the first wirelesscommunication module; at step 908, receive, by the client mobile deviceprocessor, the geofence via the client mobile device wirelesscommunication module; at step 909, receive, by the client mobile deviceprocessor, a current location from the positioning sensor; at step 910,when the current location is outside the geofence, communicate, by theclient mobile device processor, a geofence alert to the caregiver mobiledevice processor, wherein the caregiver mobile device processor displaysa notification of the geofence alert on the first user interface; atstep 911, receive, by the client mobile device processor, a medicationschedule, wherein the medication schedule includes a medicine name and amedication time; at step 912, receive, by the client mobile deviceprocessor, a current time from the clock; at step 913, when the currenttime matches the medication time, display, by the client mobile deviceprocessor, a medication reminder on the client mobile device userinterface including the medication name, wherein the reminder includes arequest to the user to confirm that the medication has be taken, whereinthe request is satisfied when the user performs an action; at step 914,when the client mobile device user interface has not detected the actionafter a predetermined period of time after displaying the alert,communicate, by the client mobile device processor, a medicine alert tothe caregiver mobile device, wherein the medicine alert includes anotification of the user's failure to confirm that the medication hasbeen taken; and at step 915, when the second user interface detects theaction, communicate by the client mobile device processor, aconfirmation alert to the first mobile device.

Referring back to FIG. 2B, the mobile device 100 includes a memoryinterface 102, one or more data processors, image processors and/orcentral processors 104, and a peripherals interface 106. The memoryinterface 102, the one or more processors 104 and/or the peripheralsinterface 106 can be separate components or can be integrated in one ormore integrated circuits. The various components in the mobile device100 can be coupled by one or more communication buses or signal lines,as will be recognized by those skilled in the art.

Sensors, devices, and additional subsystems can be coupled to theperipherals interface 106 to facilitate various functionalities. Forexample, a motion sensor 108 (e.g., a gyroscope), a light sensor 110,and a positioning sensor 112 (e.g., GPS receiver) can be coupled to theperipherals interface 106 to facilitate the orientation, lighting, andpositioning functions described further herein. Other sensors 114 canalso be connected to the peripherals interface 106, such as a proximitysensor, a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, or other sensingdevice, to facilitate related functionalities.

A camera subsystem 116 and an optical sensor 118 (e.g., a chargedcoupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)optical sensor) can be utilized to facilitate camera functions, such asrecording photographs and video clips.

Communication functions can be facilitated through one or more wirelesscommunication subsystems 120, which can include radio frequencyreceivers and transmitters and/or optical (e.g., infrared) receivers andtransmitters. The specific design and implementation of thecommunication subsystem 120 can depend on the communication network(s)over which the mobile device 100 is intended to operate. For example,the mobile device 100 can include communication subsystems 120 designedto operate over a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, a Wi-Fior WiMax network, and a Bluetooth network. In particular, the wirelesscommunication subsystems 120 may include hosting protocols such that themobile device 100 may be configured as a base station for other wirelessdevices.

An audio subsystem 122 can be coupled to a speaker 124 and a microphone126 to facilitate voice-enabled functions, such as voice recognition,voice replication, digital recording, and telephony functions.

The I/O subsystem 128 can include a touch screen controller 130 and/orother input controller(s) 132. The touch-screen controller 130 can becoupled to a user interface 134, such as a touch screen. The userinterface 134 and touch screen controller 130 can, for example, detectcontact and movement, or break thereof, using any of a plurality oftouch sensitivity technologies, including but not limited to capacitive,resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well asother proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one ormore points of contact with the touch screen 134. The other inputcontroller(s) 132 can be coupled to other input/control devices 136,such as one or more buttons, rocker switches, thumb-wheel, infraredport, USB port, and/or a pointer device such as a stylus. The one ormore buttons (not shown) can include an up/down button for volumecontrol of the speaker 124 and/or the microphone 126.

The memory interface 102 can be coupled to memory 138. The memory 138can include high-speed random access memory and/or non-volatile memory,such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more opticalstorage devices, and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR). The memory 138can store operating system instructions 140, such as Darwin, RTXC,LINUX, UNIX, OS X, iOS, ANDROID, BLACKBERRY OS, BLACKBERRY 10, WINDOWS,or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. The operating systeminstructions 140 may include instructions for handling basic systemservices and for performing hardware dependent tasks. In someimplementations, the operating system instructions 140 can be a kernel(e.g., UNIX kernel).

The memory 138 may also store communication instructions 142 tofacilitate communicating with one or more additional devices, one ormore computers and/or one or more servers 75. The memory 138 may includegraphical user interface instructions 144 to facilitate graphic userinterface processing; sensor processing instructions 146 to facilitatesensor-related processing and functions; phone instructions 148 tofacilitate phone-related processes and functions; electronic messaginginstructions 150 to facilitate electronic-messaging related processesand functions; web browsing instructions 152 to facilitate webbrowsing-related processes and functions; media processing instructions154 to facilitate media processing-related processes and functions;GPS/Navigation instructions 156 to facilitate GPS and navigation-relatedprocesses and instructions; camera instructions 158 to facilitatecamera-related processes and functions; and/or other softwareinstructions 160 to facilitate other processes and functions (e.g.,access control management functions, etc.). The memory 138 may alsostore other software instructions controlling other processes andfunctions of the mobile device 100 as will be recognized by thoseskilled in the art. In some implementations, the media processinginstructions 154 are divided into audio processing instructions andvideo processing instructions to facilitate audio processing-relatedprocesses and functions and video processing-related processes andfunctions, respectively. An activation record and International MobileEquipment Identity (IMEI) 162 or similar hardware identifier can also bestored in memory 138.

Each of the above identified instructions and applications cancorrespond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed herein. These instructions need not be implemented as separatesoftware programs, procedures, or modules. The memory 138 can includeadditional instructions or fewer instructions. Furthermore, variousfunctions of the mobile device 100 may be implemented in hardware and/orin software, including in one or more signal processing and/orapplication specific integrated circuits. Accordingly, the mobile device100, as shown in FIG. 2B, may be adapted to perform any combination ofthe functionality described herein.

One or more processors 104 control aspects of the systems and methodsdescribed herein. The one or more processors 104 may be adapted run avariety of application programs, access and store data, includingaccessing and storing data in associated databases, and enable one ormore interactions via the mobile device 100. Typically, the one or moreprocessors 104 are implemented by one or more programmable dataprocessing devices. The hardware elements, operating systems, andprogramming languages of such devices are conventional in nature, and itis presumed that those skilled in the art are adequately familiartherewith.

For example, the one or more processors 104 may be a PC basedimplementation of a central control processing system utilizing acentral processing unit (CPU), memories and an interconnect bus. The CPUmay contain a single microprocessor, or it may contain a plurality ofmicroprocessors 104 for configuring the CPU as a multi-processor system.The memories include a main memory, such as a dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM) and cache, as well as a read only memory, such as a PROM,EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, or the like. The system may also include any form ofvolatile or non-volatile memory. In operation, the main memory stores atleast portions of instructions for execution by the CPU and data forprocessing in accord with the executed instructions.

The one or more processors 104 may also include one or more input/outputinterfaces for communications with one or more processing systems.Although not shown, one or more such interfaces may enablecommunications via a network, e.g., to enable sending and receivinginstructions electronically. The communication links may be wired orwireless.

The one or more processors 104 may further include appropriateinput/output ports for interconnection with one or more output displays(e.g., monitors, printers, touchscreen 134, motion-sensing input device108, etc.) and one or more input mechanisms (e.g., keyboard, mouse,voice, touch, bioelectric devices, magnetic reader, RFID reader, barcodereader, touchscreen 134, motion-sensing input device 108, etc.) servingas one or more user interfaces for the processor. For example, the oneor more processors 104 may include a graphics subsystem to drive theoutput display. The links of the peripherals to the system may be wiredconnections or use wireless communications.

Although summarized above as a PC-type implementation, those skilled inthe art will recognize that the one or more processors 104 alsoencompasses systems such as host computers, servers, workstations,network terminals, and the like. Further one or more processors 104 maybe embodied in a mobile device 100, such as a mobile electronic device,like a smartphone or tablet computer. In fact, the use of the termprocessor is intended to represent a broad category of components thatare well known in the art.

Hence aspects of the systems and methods provided herein encompasshardware and software for controlling the relevant functions. Softwaremay take the form of code or executable instructions for causing aprocessor or other programmable equipment to perform the relevant steps,where the code or instructions are carried by or otherwise embodied in amedium readable by the processor or other machine. Instructions or codefor implementing such operations may be in the form of computerinstruction in any form (e.g., source code, object code, interpretedcode, etc.) stored in or carried by any tangible readable medium.

As used herein, terms such as computer or machine “readable medium”refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to aprocessor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms. Non-volatilestorage media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such asany of the storage devices in any computer(s) shown in the drawings.Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as main memory ofsuch a computer platform. Common forms of computer-readable mediatherefore include for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, harddisk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer canread programming code and/or data. Many of these forms of computerreadable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of oneor more instructions to a processor for execution.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for sending medical emergencyalerts comprising: a device body adapted to be attached to a user, thedevice body including an accelerometer, a first wireless communicationsmodule in communication with the accelerometer; a user interface; and auser device including a processor and a second wireless communicationsmodule, the second wireless communications module controlled by theprocessor, the second wireless communications module in wirelesscommunication to communicate with the accelerometer and the userinterface, wherein the second wireless communications module includes adatabase storing a plurality of contacts associated with the user,wherein at least one contact is an emergency contact, and a memory incommunication with the processor, the memory including instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receiveacceleration data from the accelerometer, analyze the acceleration datato determine if a fall condition is present, and when the fall conditionis present, communicate, via the second wireless communication module, afall alert to a caregiver mobile device, wherein the fall alert isadapted to indicate that the user wearing the device body has fallen,wherein when the fall condition is present, send a communication, viathe user device, to at least one emergency contact associated with theuser, wherein the communication indicates that the user wearing thedevice body has fallen; receive a medication schedule, wherein themedication schedule includes a medicine name and a medication time;receive a current time from the clock; when the current time matches themedication time, displaying a medication reminder on the user interfaceincluding the medication name, wherein the medication reminder includesa request to the user to confirm that a medication has been taken,wherein the request is satisfied when the user performs a predefinedaction; wherein when the user interface has not detected the actionafter a predetermined period of time after displaying the medicationreminder, communicate a medicine alert to the caregiver mobile device,wherein the medicine alert includes a notification of the user's failureto confirm that the medication has been taken; wherein the medicinealert is sent to the emergency contact only after the caregiver haschosen to have the medicine alert sent to the emergency contact.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the device body further includes apositioning sensor in communication with the processor, wherein thememory includes further instructions that cause the processor to:receive a geofence via the second wireless communication module, receivea current location from the positioning sensor, and when the currentlocation is outside the geofence, communicate a geofence alert to thecaregiver mobile device.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the devicebody includes a vibrating motor, wherein the vibrating motor vibrateswhen the user leaves the geofence.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thememory further includes instruction to: when the user interface detectsthe action, communicate, to the caregiver mobile device, a medicineconfirmation alert adapted to notify a caregiver that the medication hasbeen taken.
 5. The system of claim 1, further including a mobiletelephone unit in communication with the processor, wherein the mobiletelephone unit is adapted to provide mobile telephone callfunctionality, wherein when the fall condition is present, initiating amobile telephone call with an emergency service line.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, further including a mobile telephone unit in communication withthe processor, wherein the mobile telephone unit is adapted to providemobile telephone call functionality, wherein when the fall condition ispresent, initiating a mobile telephone call with the caregiver mobiledevice.
 7. The system of claim 1, further including a pedometer incommunication with the processor.
 8. The system of claim 1, furtherincluding a heart rate monitor in communication with the processor.
 9. Asystem for sending medical emergency alerts comprising: a device bodyadapted to be attached to a user, the device body including anaccelerometer; a first mobile device including a first wirelesscommunications module, a first user interface, a first memory, and afirst processor in communication with the first wireless communicationsmodule, the first user interface, and the first memory; a second mobiledevice including a second wireless communications module incommunication with the first wireless communications module, wherein thesecond wireless communications module includes a database storing aplurality of contacts associated with the user, wherein at least onecontact is an emergency contact, a second user interface, a secondprocessor in communication with the accelerometer, the second wirelesscommunications module, and the second user interface, a second memory incommunication with the second processor, the second memory includinginstructions that, when executed by the second processor, cause thesecond processor to receive acceleration data from the accelerometer,analyze the acceleration data to determine if a fall condition ispresent, when the fall condition is present, communicate, via the secondwireless communications module, an alert to the first mobile device,wherein the alert is adapted to indicate that the user wearing thedevice body has fallen, wherein when the fall condition is present, sendan SMS message to at least one emergency contact associated with theuser, wherein the SMS message indicates that the user wearing the devicebody has fallen; wherein the first memory includes instructions that,when executed by the first processor, cause the first processor toreceive the alert from the second mobile device, and display anotification of the alert via the first user interface; wherein at leastone of the second memory and the first memory include instructions to:receive a medication schedule, wherein the medication schedule includesa medicine name and a medication time, wherein the second memoryincludes instructions to: receive a current time from the clock, whenthe current time matches the medication time, display a medicationreminder on the second user interface including the medication name,wherein the reminder includes a request to the user to confirm that themedication has been taken, wherein the request is satisfied when theuser performs an action, when the second user interface has not detectedthe action after a predetermined period of time after displaying themedication reminder, communicate a medicine alert to the first mobiledevice, wherein the medicine alert includes a notification of the user'sfailure to confirm that the medication has been taken; wherein themedicine alert is sent to the emergency contact only after the caregiverhas chosen to have the medicine alert sent to the emergency contact. 10.The system of claim 9, wherein the device body further includes apositioning sensor in communication with the second processor, whereinthe first memory includes further instructions that cause the firstprocessor to: receive one or more inputs defining a geofence, andcommunicate the geofence to the second processor via the first wirelesscommunication module, and wherein the second memory includes furtherinstructions that cause the second processor to: receive the geofencevia the second wireless communication module, receive a current locationfrom the positioning sensor, and when the current location is outsidethe geofence, communicate a geofence alert to the first processor,wherein the first processor displays a geofence alert notification onthe first user interface.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the secondmemory further includes instruction to: when the second user interfacedetects the action, communicate a medicine confirmation alert to thefirst mobile device.
 12. The system of claim 9, further including amobile telephone unit in communication with the second processor,wherein the mobile telephone unit is adapted to provide mobile telephonecall functionality, wherein when the fall condition is present,initiating a mobile telephone call with an emergency service line. 13.The system of claim 9, further including a second mobile telephone unitin communication with the second processor, further including a firstmobile telephone unit in communication with the first processor, whereinthe second mobile telephone unit and the first mobile telephone unit areadapted to provide mobile telephone call functionality, wherein, whenthe fall condition is present, initiating a mobile telephone callbetween the second mobile telephone unit and the first mobile telephoneunit.
 14. The system of claim 9, further including a pedometer incommunication with the second processor.
 15. The system of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to: in response todetermining a fall condition, the processor displays, via the userinterface a prompt requesting safety verification by pressing aspecified control on the user interface, in response to detecting theuser pressed the specified control, refraining from executing the stepof communicating an alert to a caregiver mobile device, and in responseto failing to detect the user pressed the specified control,communicating to a caregiver mobile device that the user failed toconfirm his or her safety.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: in response to determining a fallcondition, the processor displays, via the user interface a promptrequesting safety verification by pressing a specified control on theuser interface, in response to detecting the user pressed the specifiedcontrol, refraining from executing the step of communicating an alert toa caregiver mobile device, and in response to failing to detect the userpressed the specified control, communicating to a caregiver mobiledevice that the user failed to confirm his or her safety.
 17. The systemof claim 9, wherein via the second wireless communications moduleprocessor, when the second user interface has not detected the actionafter a predetermined period of time after displaying the medicationreminder, communicate a medicine alert to, send an SMS message to atleast one emergency contact associated with the user, wherein the SMSmessage indicates a medicine alert.